Relief: Free AC arrives; Coolest weekend since May 5th ahead

50s & 60s across Minnesota this morning

Low 70s this weekend in the metro

Coolest weekend since May 5th & 6th ahead

(Last weekend highs stayed in the 60s)

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Fresh NW breezes today winds gusting to 30mph & choppy lakes

1 week - Minnesota State Fair begins 1 week from today!

Source: Twin Cities NWS

Free AC: Summer's strongest cold front blows in

Our well advertised cold front is here. The coolest air mass since May has arrived in Minnesota. The last time we saw consecutive weekend days in the 60s? May 5th & 6th. Yes, it's been a long, hot summer...but the hot steamy weather pattern appears to be history for 2012.

Source: Twin Cities NWS

Metro dodged severe bullet last night:

Severe storms did rumble across parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin last night, but mostly fell apart as they approached the metro.

Why? The morning round of thunderstorms that dumped nearly an inch of rain in the metro used up some of the "convective energy" in the atmosphere Wednesday. Since the air near the metro was already "worked over" there just wasn't enough oomph left to sustain severe storms in most of the metro.

There was some impressive rainfall in Lakeville and the far southern metro, but most of the hail reports came in from western Minnesota, and the wind damage focused on Winona and the La Crosse area.

Source: Twin Cities NWS

You can get the full rundown on severe reports here.

Looking Ahead: Wet thundery Thursday start to the Minnesota State Fair?

After our cool weekend temps should warm a bit next week. It looks like we may push back toward 80 degrees under sunny skies Monday & Tuesday.

By Wednesday & Thursday another low pressure system moves this way. Early indications are we'll see scattered rain & thunder move in...and potentially spill into the first day of the 2013 Minnesota State Fair. After that the early trends suggest the weekend may turn sunny again...with temps probably in the 70s, which would be excellent "Fair Weather."

I can almost taste the pronto pups.

Stay tuned!

PH